News4’s Tommy McFly and Aimee Cho see what it takes to dance ballet like a pro in The Washington Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”
The winter in D.C. can be frightful. While shopping at holiday markets and seeing holiday lights are delightful, there are plenty of other fun things to do in the winter that aren’t solely outside.
Here are a few indoor activities in D.C. to check off your winter bucket list that are good for a solo outing or to share the experience with loved ones.
D.C. exhibitions
DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular
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📅 Until Jan. 4, 2025
📍 National Building Museum
💲 Free (skate rentals: $5)
🔗 Details
Glide around a synthetic ice rink in the National Building Museum’s Great Hall!
Each day is split into four sessions on Thursdays to Mondays with special hours aimed at toddlers and families. Can't pick a genre to skate to? The museum has that covered with Theme Skate nights at 6 p.m. that spread across '90s hip-hop, Beyonce, Prince, Taylor Swift and of course, holiday music.
Skate rental costs $5, but you’re welcome to bring your own. Don't forget to register for this free event before you go and check out the full schedule for session hours.
Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special
📅 Until Jan. 5, 2025
📍 Artechouse DC
💲 $17-$3 (price varies by ticket)
🔗 Details
The holidays can be a bit much sometimes with all of the hustle and bustle. Take some time to soothe your mind by visiting Artechouse’s Holiday Special: Tingle Bells. The ASMR-inspired experience soothes your senses with calming soundscapes and captivating visuals.
The newest addition to the multi-sensory experience is the Spectacular Factory, where you’ll feel like you landed in a dream in a holiday gift factory that came to life.
JewCE: The Jewish Comics Experience
📅 Until March 2025
📍 Capital Jewish Museum
💲 $10 (for non-members and those over 12 years old)
🔗 Details
In this new exhibit, you can explore 100 years of Jewish cartoons, comics, and graphic novels at the Capital Jewish Museum. Learn about the Jewish origins of iconic comic book superheroes from the 1930s through the 1960s.
A comic experience isn’t complete without reading a comic or two! After you’re done taking it all in, hang out in the reading room and enjoy comics, graphic novels, creator biographies, and works represented in the galleries.
In Slavery's Wake
📅 Dec. 13, 2024 - June 8, 2025
📍 National Museum of African American History and Culture
💲 Free (timed passes for museum)
🔗 Details
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is opening its newest exhibit called “In Slavery’s Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World.” The multi-lingual experience is the museum’s first international traveling exhibition and will explore how racial slavery, colonialism and Black freedom-making influence the world.
The exhibit will be split into six sections on Concourse Level C and features 100 objects, 250 images, and 10 multi-media interactives and films.
D.C. shows
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
📅 Dec. 13 – 22
📍 Union Stage
💲 $79-129 (depending on date and time)
🔗 Details
“Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show” returns to the Arena Stage to step into some holiday cheer! In this step show extravaganza, DJ Nutcracker and his furry friends Popper the Penguin and Polo the Polar Bear combine the African American tradition of stepping with festivities!
On two nights, the step show will have special events. On Dec. 15, stop by before the 6 p.m. show with a reservation to get a picture with Santa. If you’re part of one of the Divine Nine organizations or a proud HBCU student or alum, rep your colors and apparel on Dec. 18 at the 7:30 p.m. show.
The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker
📅 Until Dec. 29
📍 Warner Theatre
💲 Check LiveNation for pricing
🔗 Details
Imagine a classic like “The Nutcracker” combined with all that you love about D.C. That’s what you get when you see The Washington Ballet’s “DC The Nutcracker”! The D.C.-themed show includes familiar sights like cherry blossoms and familiar faces like Harriet Tubman.
Don’t miss the show’s Family Night on Dec. 15! Check their website for more details.
& Juliet
📅 Dec. 17 - Jan. 5, 2025
📍 John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
💲 $45 – $239
🔗 Details
What if Juliet didn’t decide to end her life in Shakespeare’s tragedy “Romeo and Juliet”? “& Juliet,” a play originally debuted in the UK, is a musical that questions just that.
Created by the Emmy Award-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” the new musical will come to the John F. Kennedy Center starting Dec. 17.
See Juliet leave behind her tragic end to discover what life would be like if she lived beyond Romeo. You’ll be swept through Juliet’s empowering (and fun) second chance at life through pop hits like “Since U Been Gone” and “…Baby One More Time.”
